a modern wellness area by snarkitecture
with its ‘manifesto’ club, snarkitecture presents a new lifestyle destination in the heart of washington dc the project takes shape as a modern wellness space dedicated to self-care, all expressed with the studio’s signature clean and bright finishes. A holistic environment, the club incorporates programs including a hair salon, cafe, speakeasy cocktail bar and retail boutique.
Sophisticated and contemporary, the club was designed by entrepreneur and University of Maryland faculty director KJ Hughes, along with partners Brian Merritt and Susan Morgan.
pictures © michael grant
manifesto: coffee, cocktails, cups and clothes
snarkitecture (see After) realizes its “manifest” wellness club as a place where locals and visitors to Washington DC can order a coffee or a cocktail, get a haircut or buy luxury streetwear, all in one space. snarkitecture partner alex mustonen explains: “when we decided to design a manifesto, it had to be a new type of hair salon, inviting everyone. simultaneously, we wanted to create a sanctuary, a community space, an institution, a unique experience that still feels like home.‘
the health club surely offers that sanctuary from the bustling streets of the nation’s capital. the space is set back from the street behind an oasis courtyard with sculptural benches, pockets of landscaping, and warm wood cladding walls. this warm expression and wood finish continues inside with the introduction of glossy white tiles, brown leather barber chairs and a terrazzo covered cafe bar.
a place to “show your best self”
Snarkitecture worked closely with KJ Hughes, who now oversees the Manifest Club with partners Brian Merritt and Susan Morgan. Hughes comments: ‘imagining what kind of manifest space would be, I knew it would be an experiential space unlike anything seen before. in my recent travels and research I have seen several hair salons, retail shops and speakeasy.
‘my vision was to bring all of these things together under one roof in a way that isn’t about haircuts, coffee, clothes, or cocktails – that’s how all of these things make you feel. it’s about manifesting the best of yourself through an immersive experience.’
project info:
Project title: manifest
architecture: snarkitecture
location: Washington D.C., United States
completion: 2021
photography: © michael grant
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